Foreign Minister Cassis: “We must not give in to frustration”
Published: Wednesday, Jan 24th 2024, 04:01
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The UN Security Council has held an open debate on the explosive situation in the Middle East. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis called for new steps towards a political solution to this conflict, which has already cost the lives of far too many people.
On the fringes of the Security Council debate, the Swiss Foreign Minister also held a series of bilateral talks on Tuesday (local time). Among others, he met with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. It was the first meeting between the two politicians since September 2022. Switzerland is attempting to initiate a negotiation process for a peaceful solution to the Ukraine conflict in order to organize a peace conference.
Cassis did not make any specific statements to the media about the content of the talks with Lavrov, which focused on war and peace. The aim was to get a dialog going. Because without Russia, there will be no solution.
He plans to hold similar talks with India, China and other countries in the coming days in order to explore "which path could be followed" to find a peaceful solution to the conflict. It will not be easy, Cassis warned. The positions of Russia and Ukraine are still diametrically opposed.
Carry on - despite frustration
The crisis in the Middle East was at the center of the open debate of the UN Security Council in New York. Under the French Presidency and at ministerial level, the Council debate is intended to contribute to concrete progress towards a political, security and humanitarian solution to the crisis in the Middle East.
In his speech, Foreign Minister Cassis once again called for a permanent ceasefire and the implementation of the two UN Security Council resolutions adopted at the end of last year.
Cassis spoke of a certain frustration with regard to the conflict in the Middle East. Despite enormous efforts, hardly any effects were discernible. "But we must not give in to frustration. We must not be discouraged," continued Cassis. "We must come together to take concrete steps towards a political solution to this conflict, which has already cost far too many lives."
Cassis: Two-state solution remains the basis
Various key points must be taken into account on the path to lasting peace. The basis for a lasting peace remains the creation of a two-state solution. "This is the solution that offers both Israelis and Palestinians the prospect of living in peace and security," said Cassis.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the two-state solution last week, which UN Secretary-General António Guterres described as "unacceptable" during the debate. When asked by the Keystone-SDA news agency whether Cassis shared this assessment, he explained that Guterres had been "very clear and firm" with this judgment, which is quite rare.
The UN Secretary-General is probably also very saddened by the deaths of around 150 of his employees. We should now try to use this moment of crisis to take a step forward, said Cassis. And we should get used to the fact that more and more plain language is being spoken.
Cassis: Switzerland does not criticize other countries
When asked whether he shared Guterres' criticism, Cassis explained that it was not up to Switzerland to criticize other countries. But Switzerland had its position. The Federal Council had clearly stated in its strategy that Switzerland would stick with the two-state solution. "And we must find a way for this solution to be realized."
Certain conditions are needed for this to happen. "Now is the time to talk about them," said Cassis. What is important is what position the international community takes. And it was clear at the meeting that, with the exception of Israel, the countries that spoke in the Security Council all wanted to go in the same direction.
©Keystone/SDA
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